Newlyweds forego gifts to support cancer work

Carrie and Richard Terry’s wedding at the Pump Room was the second time both had married, so instead of more presents, the pair decided to ask for donations to support ovarian cancer research at Warwick University Medical School.

Mrs Terry, whose mother died of the disease 14 years ago, said: “When you get married for the second time, it seemed to us inappropriate to be asking people, some of whom came to our first respective weddings as well, to give us presents.

“And when you get married, one of the people you most want to witness your happy day is your mum. In my case that was not possible.

“So this was a really lovely way to remember her and to help with an important area of research.”

The 48-year-old public relations consultant asked the university medical school to set up an appeal in her mother’s name and the Jacqueline Freedman Ovarian Cancer Research Appeal was born.

Mrs Terry described the gift for her and her husband, who works at Aston University business school, as the “perfect match”.

“It ticked all the boxes. Why bother going down the wedding list route if you don’t think there is anything you need?”

Anyone interested in setting up a similar appeal to the medical school can find details by clicking on the link on the top right.